Natural Thoughts and Talks
NTT Morningstar Green
NTT Clay Jones
NTT Steven Pearson
NTT Morris Jones
NTT Daniel Burns
NTT Jessenia Pippin
NTT TJ Reed
NTT Stephen Metz
NTT Mikey Davis
por NTT
Morningstar shared her journey from being an reluctant aunt to becoming a mother of three, including her experiences with foster care, addiction, and cultural identity as a Black and Native American woman. She discussed how her grandmother's wisdom and cultural teachings helped her overcome drug and alcohol addiction at a young age. Morningstar also described her current focus on building a foundation for her children through entrepreneurship and creating a supportive home environment. The conversation concluded with Morningstar recommending several people in her community for future interviews, including a carver and her best friend who helped establish a community garden.
In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Venture interviewed Clayton Jones, a Portland resident who shared his passion for craft beer, cooking, and camping. They discussed Clayton's detailed approach to enjoying food and drink, his early experiences working with mentally ill individuals, and his current job at the airport. Clayton highlighted the importance of treating people with kindness and appreciation for life's simple pleasures. Thanks so much for chatting Clay! See you soon.
In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Venture interviewed Steven Pearson, an artist and professor from Pennsylvania, to discuss his artistic journey and teaching experiences. They explored Pearson's current art projects within the painting world, as well as his teaching approach at McDaniel College, where he emphasizes the importance of process over product and encourages students to experiment with different media. Pearson shared insights on the value of art, the role of boredom in creativity, and the significance of allowing students to explore their ideas freely. They also discussed the challenges and rewards of teaching art, including the satisfaction of seeing students develop their skills and pursue further education. The conversation highlighted the ongoing nature of artistic growth and the importance of maintaining a humble and open-minded approach to creativity.
In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Venture interviewed Morris Jones, a track and field coach at Cerritos College, to discuss his experiences growing up in Southern California during the Civil Rights era, his coaching philosophy, and his approach to mentoring student-athletes. Morris shared his journey from a challenging upbringing in a segregated community to becoming a successful coach who emphasizes building strong human capital and fostering personal growth beyond athletics. They discussed the importance of community, cultural preservation, and the role of education in empowering individuals to overcome systemic barriers. Morris also highlighted the impact of the crack epidemic on Black communities and the need for collective action to address social issues. The conversation concluded with Morris encouraging listeners to speak truthfully, value knowledge, and work towards creating a more harmonious society.
In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Venture and Daniel discussed their experiences living in different environments, particularly comparing urban life in Baltimore and Los Angeles to rural life in Montana. Daniel shared his love for nature and community, while Venture described his transition from city life to living on the Fort Peck Tribes in Montana. They explored themes of freedom, ownership, and connection to the land, discussing how these concepts differ between urban and rural settings. The conversation touched on the importance of traditional skills, star gazing, and cultural preservation. They also discussed the potential for future episodes to include a roundtable format with multiple voices sharing their perspectives. Venture shared his experience of moving from urban Los Angeles to rural Montana, explaining how the different lifestyle and social dynamics have affected him. He described the contrast between city life, where people often have access to multiple options for dining and entertainment, and rural life, where resources are more limited but community bonds are stronger. Venture emphasized the importance of balance in both urban and rural settings, drawing on his grandfather's wisdom about the cyclical nature of life. He also discussed the challenges of socializing in a small town, highlighting the simplicity and close-knit community that characterizes rural life. Thanks so much Daniel! Can't wait to see you soon.
In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Venture interviewed Jessenia, a hairstylist from Las Vegas who recently opened her own salon suite specializing in textured hair. Jessenia shared her journey from a career in hospitality to becoming a stylist, including the financial and personal sacrifices she made to pursue her passion. They discussed the importance of humility, self-discovery, and the challenges of balancing career and family life. She highlighted the value of journaling and self-reflection in personal growth. Jess and Venture discussed personal growth and the challenges of balancing self-criticism with self-acceptance. Jessenia shared her struggle as a perfectionist and her journey towards delegating tasks and trusting others, while Venture reflected on the importance of receiving love and support. They explored themes of giving and receiving help, the complexities of interpersonal relationships, and the development of discernment over time. Thanks so much Jess talk soon!
In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Venture and Dr. TJ Reed discussed the upcoming Cal State Long Beach Pow Wow and the importance of cultural preservation. They explored the concept of abundance mindset versus scarcity mindset, particularly in Indigenous communities. Dr. Reed shared his experiences as a teacher and leader in restorative justice, emphasizing the importance of humility and community healing. They also discussed the significance of traditional regalia and beadwork, with Dr. Reed explaining the meaning behind his own regalia. Traditional knowledge and sustainable living practices, particularly focusing on Indigenous philosophies of abundance and harmony with nature. Dr. shared his experiences with traditional gardening techniques and tribal hunting practices, emphasizing the value of using every part of a deer and living in balance with natural resources. Venture reflected on the confidence that comes from internalizing traditional knowledge and the contrast between urban and natural living environments. Always good to talk to you TJ see you soon brother!
In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Stephen and Venture discussed the importance of not running from failure and the value of perseverance. Stephen shared his personal experiences, including his time working on a Native American reservation in Montana, which provided him with a unique perspective on rural reservation life and the struggles faced by Native communities. They also talked about the importance of self-reflection and creating quiet time for personal growth. Stephen recommended several resources for personal development, including podcasts and nature sounds. Stephen and Venture discussed the importance of collaboration and trust in creating value, emphasizing that failures can provide valuable lessons. Stephen shared his personal experience of learning from failures and the importance of trusting oneself. Thanks so much Stephen can't wait to see ya soon!
In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Michael Davis, known as Mikey the Pizza Man, discussed his mobile pizza business in Southern California. He shared his journey of transforming a horse trailer into a pizza kitchen, offering high-quality Neapolitan-style pizzas with convenience similar to chain restaurants. Michael emphasized his passion for building personal connections with customers and creating a comfortable, accessible dining experience. He also highlighted the importance of activity, discipline, and taking care of people in business. The conversation touched on Michael's background as a pizza enthusiast and his transition from working at a gun store to pursuing his passion for pizza. He expressed gratitude for the opportunities and growth his business has provided, attributing it to his personal experience with religion and how it influences his family life. He emphasized that following God's will is crucial and described the Bible as a guide for life, though interpreting it requires discernment and community support. Michael highlighted the challenges of living a Christian life, contrasting it with the desire for ease and comfort, and expressed his belief that true riches come from spiritual growth and fulfilling God's purpose. Thanks so much Mikey good to see you talk soon brother!
In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Venture interviewed Kae, a dog trainer from Inglewood, California, who runs KaeK9 Academy. They discussed Kae's journey in dog training, his business growth over the past four years, and his approach to training using e-collars. Kae shared his experiences with clients, the importance of maintaining consistent training, and how he applies his dog training skills to parenting. They also talked about Kae's upcoming plans to expand his business with a Sprinter van and a K9 ranch. The conversation covered topics such as backyard breeding, the benefits of patience in dog training, and the role of spirituality in Kae's professional life. Venture and Kae exchanged insights on the importance of attention to detail in dog training and the parallels between raising dogs and children. Thanks Kae can't wait to see ya soon!